Heavy as Tombstones

Posted on April 9, 2019 by crispina kemp

sepulchre, Burlingham

Silence
Heavy as tombstones
Curdles the hero’s heart and courage
Shrouds his love, his life

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Prompt

Posted in Poems (Some Silly) | Tagged , | 65 Comments

What Pegman Saw: This Warm Place

Posted on April 8, 2019 by crispina kemp
Thilisi

Thilisi by Sergy Kachanov on Google Maps

This Tiflis, this Thilisi; this warm place.
Where to Tamar once the farmers gave their grain
Where Jason, seeking a golden fleece, a wife did gain
Where the sacred fires of Zarathustra burned
And initiates of the celestial Mithras turned
Where Early Christians planted a wide-armed cross
And later Moslem faith became the political boss
Where armies entered from each cardinal base
sat awhile, and left this Silk Roads’ meeting place;
This is Tiflis, this is Thilisi; this is the warm place.

Written for What Pegman Saw

Wordcount: 82

[The place-name means warm place]

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in History, Mostly Micro, Poems (Some Silly) | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Sunday Picture Post: Crimson Catkins

Posted on April 7, 2019 by crispina kemp

The catkins of hazel fall like golden showers in spring; the catkins of willow are popularly known as pussy willow. But what about these?

black poplar catkins

The crimson catkins od the black poplar tree: 28 March 2019

Black Poplar is one of my favourites. Soon the leaves will appear, as fresh and sweet as the beech, with the autumnal tints of the oak.

Posted in Photos | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

Asaric Tales e-book Update #17

Posted on April 7, 2019 by crispina kemp

The Spinner’s Child (formerly Asaric Lies, Book One)

Last month I reported on the brilliant work of cover designer Lauren Willmore, who just happens to be my critique partner (I’m so lucky). She is working on the art pages which will introduce each of the five parts to the book. Last month I had just taken possession of Part One: On Eagle Wings. I now have two others.

Part Two: Indelible Curses

I’m holding back on the other one to show them in order.

Asaric Skies (WT: Book Three)
another name change and another book cover

I finished the rewrite of  Asaric Skies last week and, the very next day it winged its way to a couple of betas. I’m hoping that any changes now needed will be minor. And so to announce it’s new name and flash its cover …

The Pole That Threads

Copyright Lauren Willmore

More of Lauren’s wondeful work!

Asaric Sons (WT: Book Four)

This  is now with various beta-readers, although it’s not too late to volunteer. See Contact Me

 So far, two betas have read and returned the questionnaires … many, many thanks, to you both … one of these readers remarked that she couldn’t put it down. (That bodes well for when the quint finally hits the Kindle Reads.) Of the remaining betas, I’m expecting final returns from two during the next two to three weeks. Of the others … all are up to date with returns, not need to nudge anyone this time.

Once all questionnaires with their comments are in, I’ll give thought to what might be required by way of revision and rewrite. In the meantime …

Asaric Sins (WT: Book Five)

Book Five. Last book in the quint! Break out the champagne.

Ah, but that’s being hasty. The opening chapters of Book Five require a massive makeover, and those changes will affect later chapters. So, I’m thinking this is the book that’s going to need the most work. Even so, I am hoping it’ll be ready for my loyal and enthusiastic team of beta readers by mid-to-late summer. And then … and then …

And I guess that’s all I can report, for now. Work proceeds, strides are made … even though many seem more like tiny steps.

Bs 1 and 2 and 3 cp

Books 1, 2 and 3 of The Spinners Game

The next e-book update will be … Sunday 5th May.

Posted in On Writing, The Spinner's Game | Tagged , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Hide and Seek

Posted on April 6, 2019 by crispina kemp

Seen at Long Stratton Mill: 28 March 2019

Less a case of hide and seek, more an example of Peek-a-Boo.

[For details of #2019picoftheweek challenge see MariaAntonia]

Posted in Photos | Tagged , | 22 Comments

The Loathly Lady

Posted on April 4, 2019 by crispina kemp

Crimson’s Creative Challenge #21

A loathly lady here indwells,
silver-green skin, stained by the fells.

In times of pestilence and droughts
a lustful lad, lottery-chosen from hereabouts,
was tightly bound and to her given;
a practice derided as devil-bidden,

Now local lads in texting, gaming,
stay away, and who can blame them.
Though the lonesome loathly lady might berate:
Behold, her current mate-less hateful state.

Written for Crimson’s Creative Challenge #21

Posted in Crimson's Creative Challenge, Poems (Some Silly) | Tagged , , | 44 Comments

Crimson’s Creative Challenge #21

Posted on April 3, 2019 by crispina kemp

CCC#21

Welcome to my weekly challenge—open to all—just for FUN, FUN, FUN

Here’s how it works:

Every Wednesday I post a photo (this week it’s that one above.)
You respond with something CREATIVE

Here are some suggestions:

  • An answering photo
  • A cartoon
  • A joke
  • A caption
  • An anecdote
  • A short story (flash fiction)
  • A poem
  • A newly minted proverb, adage or saying
  • An essay
  • A song—the lyrics or the performance

You have plenty of scope and only two criteria:

  • Your creative offering is indeed yours
  • Your writing is kept to 150 words or less

If you post a link in the comments section of this post I’ll be able to find it
If you include Crimson’s Creative Challenge as a heading, WP Search will find it (theory)
If you tag it #CCC others should be able to find it by ‘Searching’ in the WP Reader (fingers crossed)

Here’s wishing you inspirational explosions. And FUN.

Details of the photo are given, if relevant, below this line

A flooded one-time gravel pit close to Marriott’s Way as it passes through Costessey on the outskirts of Norwich

Posted in Crimson's Creative Challenge | Tagged , , | 114 Comments

The Sands of Nag Hammadi

Posted on April 2, 2019 by crispina kemp
david-bates-89412_1280

Image by David Bates on Pixabay

In 1945 thirteen leather-bound papyrus codices were found at Nag Hammadi, Egypt, believed buried after 367 when St Athanasius declared anathema such non-canonical books.

Today, all but a few of the 52 treatises recovered are known as the Gnostic Gospels. Anathema or not, these ancient writings confirmed my own experience of spiritual-gnosis.

52 words, written for Sammi’s Weekend Challenge

 

Posted in History, Mostly Micro | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

What Pegman Saw: Piss-Poor Pete

Posted on April 1, 2019 by crispina kemp
Alice Springs by Bernhard Abele

Original image by Bernhard Abele

I have a soft spot for Piss-Poor Pete.

Born to penniless parents, far from a beach in Northern Territory; cut school early to earn a living; couldn’t find work so joined the army; broke his back vaulting a horse and disabled out; working now for meals and tips at a down-and-out boarding house in Alice Springs.

But in all these years his dream hasn’t changed: To surf with the big boys at Byron Bay.

Written for What Pegman Saw

Posted in Mostly Micro | Tagged , | 39 Comments

Sunday Picture Post: Epitome of Spring

Posted on March 31, 2019 by crispina kemp
primroses 2

The primrose, amongst the earliest of Britain’s wild-flowers: 23 March 2019

Violets 2

Woodland Violets, usually seen in the company of the primrose: 23 March 2019

catkins 2

Hazel catkins fall like golden rain: 23 March 2019

blackthorn

Blackthorn, aka Quickthorn, ake Sloe: 23 March 2019

Photos taken in Tyrrel’s Wood. near Long Stratton, Norfolk

Posted in Photos | Tagged , | 15 Comments